So Easy to Make Dessert Snack Pumpkin Cupcakes

No way!  A Two Ingredient Dessert?  You may have seen this recipe circulating on the web.  I saw it on so many sites and blogs so that I cannot attribute it to one author or cook.  I didn't think I would make it, so didn't bookmark any site.  Some people rave over it and some say it's tasty.  Well, I made it and want to share my results.

I have to admit that I never eat Pumpkin Pie or any pumpkin.  Nor coconut, but that's another story.  Anyway, back to the recipe.  Buy 1 Spice Cake Mix and 1 Can 15 oz size of Puree Pumpkin, just Pumpkin not the pie mixture although that might work, didn't try it, if you do, please share.  If you are very frugal, this does not fit the profile as the pumpkin was almost $2.00 per can.

Okay, I always improvise so I added Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Ginger plus Raisins and Sliced Almonds.  A sprinkle of Confectioner's Sugar, too.

I soaked the raisins to rehydrate them, about 20 minutes in hot water, then drain the water.  Add the spices if you wish to the dry cake mix and blend, Add the Pumpkin and stir until well blended.  The batter is very stiff and not pourable, Add raisins and blend.  Spoon into paper liners, add almonds or walnuts, this will make about 18 muffins/cupcakes when filled to nearly the top of the liner.  These cakes rise very little, fill the liners to at least 3/4 full and smooth out the top with the back of your spoon or your finger.  Bake at 350 F for about 22 minutes depending on the accuracy of your oven.

I made 12 regular size and 12 mini size.  Two missing- I ate to taste test. lol  Pumpkin will not kill, I survived to write this post.

The Verdict:  these are really moist, almost sodden.  They were better after two days in the fridge, which kind of firmed them up.  If I made them again, I would use half a can of pumpkin and add a little liquid if needed or use two cake mixes.

I think they tasted better with frosting, too.  Lucy has her eyes on the prize, but dogs can't have raisins.  Let me know if you make these and what your results were.  Enjoy!

(This post was automatically published while I'm off the computer due to vertigo.  Hoping to be back soon to visit your blogs.)

Sunday Straphanger Vermont

Part of the beauty of New England are
the covered bridges, beautiful autumn foliage, mountains, and maple syrup.

Churches around the green.

At  one of the stops we made in Vermont before driving back to NJ, I saw these bottles of honey in bear shaped bottles on a shelf.  The photo doesn't show the way the sunlight was shining  through the honey casting a glow and making a unique design across the floor.  These bear shaped bottles are a tradition in stores across the USA, though through different makers.

These little bears are lined up like miniature Chinese stone soldiers, but much sweeter and less fierce than them.  The honey must have been all warm and perfect for squeezing, as the sun shined on them.   Oh, Pooh!  Yes, I just had to say it.


(This post was automatically published while I'm away from the computer due to vertigo.  Hoping to return very soon.)

Sing to the Clouds

I'm going to show my piece for IA's theme week challenge.  The theme is, "needlework."   There are some beautiful examples of art inspiration for this theme in the post over at the blog.  My piece is a simple mixed media and watercolor, about 4.5 x 5.5 inches.









 I remember my Mom singing to my younger sisters, rocking them in the red rocking chair and watching her rhythm and singing in her Welsh accent.  For some reason this image of a bird guiding the thread in the clouds at the end of a kite came to my mind.  I added the cat for a bit more whimsy.    The background is a result of the vertigo I've come down with, it was supposed to be a different pattern, but the dizziness took hold.

I'm going to step away from the blog for a bit until the vertigo subsides.  With ear infections in both ears, the prescriptions have just started and I have to give them a few days to see if they're going to work.   I'm sorry I won't be able to visit and comment on your blogs.

Tuesday a recipe will be posted and two more posts are also setup to publish automatically.  I hope to be back soon.

Muse in a Brown Paper Package

I'd like to share this  beautiful shadowbox with you.  Hettienne is the artist and her blog  showcases her inspiring attitude, zest for life , and  beliefs in creative ways.  For a few months I've participated in the weekly art theme challenges at Inspiration Avenue.  The team members have Etsy shops, including Hettienne.   I don't have an Etsy shop, but the theme challenges  are open to anyone.  I was welcomed at IA's theme weeks even though I've only just started to try and make the things which flutter through my brain before they disappear.  They mostly don't turn out the way my mind's eye sees them, but I try.

Back to business, Inspiration Avenue celebrated their recent milestone, having 500 followers and the blog party included several giveaways.  I was surprised and very lucky to have received a winning draw and the shadowbox was my gift.  Yahoo!  (They didn't invent that expression. lol)

Brown Paper Package with Beautiful Image

South African stamps, I'm saving these to use in a project!

The first thing I see is the card and the blue bag.  Inside the bag is a detailed description of the shadowbox, the creative process, the components, and the love that went into making the box.

Carefully Opening the Box.

Here is the big TA DA!

It's beautiful, the little book in the corner is an actual little book with blank pages.  There's my teacup and saucer, a locket which opens, my pearls, Cinderella's shoe, and more.  The birds almost made me cry as my Mom had a love for birds and my Dad made birdhouses.  They have both passed away and this art box is a perfect reminder of some happy times with them.  

I've been lax with things and seeing this lovely Muse with all the soothing yet inspiring elements will keep me company.  For now she's on a shelf above my desk.  A perfect place.  Thank you very much Hettienne you have a creative gift and thank you so much for sharing.  Yahoo indeed.

Blessings Button

This year has just gone by in a blur for me, zipping along.  The stores seem to push the calendar too far ahead in their aim to make sales, they have to for their businesses, but it seems odd to see Valentine decorations and candy on the shelves weeks before Christmas.

I like to skip over Halloween and go straight to Thanksgiving.  I made this little 150x150 button to post on my sidebar to wish you Happy Thanksgiving, but for a week or so blogger won't let me upload any images to the sidebars.  If you'd like to have this button, just right click and copy, then paste where you want it.

How do you feel about "Keep Calm" slogans, too many out there, irritating, like them, or ...?

ETA:  I was able to bypass the blogger problem by putting the button image in this post and publishing.  Then viewing the post, clicking on the button image, copying the url address of the published button, finally adding a gadget to the layout- picture, then pasting the copied address, amd saving.  Just in case anyone else is having the same image problem, thought I'd share what worked.

No Dust on These Feathers Peacock Stalker

Sneeze on Monday, sneeze for danger.
Sneeze on Tuesday, kiss a stranger.
Sneeze on Wednesday, get a letter.
Sneeze on Thursday, something better.
Sneeze on Friday, sneeze for sorrow.
Sneeze on Saturday, see your true love to-morrow.


The little poem has nothing to do with Inspiration Avenue Weekly Challenge, just thought it was a cute poem to share, one of those old time rhymes.


Here's my piece for this art nouveau theme, peacocks were often featured in the art of that period.         

I took my original photo, left, and manipulated it in Picnik

I wrote about this particular peacock before.